Etiquette Seminar

The dominance of technology in interpersonal communications (e-mail, cell phones, chat rooms, etc.) has nearly robbed today's students of the simple skills of interacting one-to-one with other people. Officially titled the "Professional Polish" seminar, this fall event has been dubbed the "Etiquette Seminar" by the students. Sponsored by the Department of Business and Economics and Student Affairs, this event is open to all students on a reservations only basis. Students in Organizational Communications (BUS 285) are required to attend. The officers of all campus organizations are encouraged to attend, and all students expecting to spend some or all of their career working in a business or a business-like organization should consider attending.

Students, in professional business attire, attend a mock reception, learning how to "work the room," engage in multiple conversations, and contribute to the effectiveness of the reception as if it were a real social-business setting. Immediately following the mock-reception is a formal dinner preceded by a very entertaining presentation of the "ins and outs" of all the silverware, glassware, dinnerware, and other elements of a formal dinner. The "diner" involves a host, a guest of honor, and other guests seated eight to a table.

It is better to learn the "dinner ropes" here than try and find them out on the fly in your first real professional dinner.